sump/fuge plumbing

[IAreef]

I have 2 20g containers to use, one as a sump the other as a fuge. I was wandering what peoples opinion was on the return pump in the sump vs. externally. I was planning to run 1" pvc from each container to a 't' to feed the pump if I do it externally or connect the two containers with a 2" pvc if I put the pump in the sump. Any thoughts are appreciated.

[poppin_fresh]

Whether to go internal or external is probably dependant on how much head pressure you will place on the pump. Are you pumping the water 4 feet or 14, this will determine which is better for you. In general, external pumps are better at moving water long distances while using less power.

[Amphibious]

Also, internal pumps add more heat to the system because they are cooled by the surrounding water. This could add significant heat, one of our enemies in reefing. I prefer external pumps for this reason. A tad more expensive in the purchase but savings in the long haul.

Dick

[lReef lKeeper]

i agree with Dick. external pump are great for our tanks, but not always usable on every setup. i have had excellent results with the Gen X pumps.

BTW ... i would connect the tanks together anyway. it will insure that you do not overflow one of them by storing the drain water in BOTH tanks if the power goes out. if they are connected the water will level itself out between the tanks instead of it all flowing into the one tank.

[Amphibious]

Originally Posted by lReef lKeeper

i agree with Dick. external pump are great for our tanks, but not always usable on every setup. i have had excellent results with the Gen X pumps.

BTW ... i would connect the tanks together anyway. it will insure that you do not overflow one of them by storing the drain water in BOTH tanks if the power goes out. if they are connected the water will level itself out between the tanks instead of it all flowing into the one tank.

Wow!!! How did I miss that extremely important point. He's right.

Dick

[IAreef]

very good point thank you both for the heads up. One other question a local reefer has a quietone 4000 pump he said I could have for $20 with an extra impeller and shaft. It is rated for wet or dry use so which ever way I decide to go it would work, also it is rated a little over 1000gph which is more than my current overflow can do he recommended t'ing off the return and dumping a portion back into my fuge to increase flow there without a power head. The pump has about 1 month of use on it and looks brand new. Any thoughts on the quality of the pump and if t'ing off the return flow would be greatly appreciated.

[lReef lKeeper]

Originally Posted by Amphibious

Wow!!! How did I miss that extremely important point. He's right.

Dick

we all miss things every now and then !! but never fear ... your track record speaks for itself my friend.

BTW ... check that out !! i am catching up to you in the post count !!

[lReef lKeeper]

i say to go for it with the pump ... at $20 you can always use it as a spare if you dont like the flow it produces.

sounds like your friend knows his stuff. i would add a ball valve to the blow off section of pvc so you can fine tune how much flow gets returned and how much goes back to the fuge.

[poppin_fresh]

I used a QO 4000 for about a year before I moved to the basement sump...I liked it very much. At $20 its a really good deal IMO.

[IAreef]

well everything has been up and running with FW in it for about 2 days so I could work out any kinks in the system. In my opinion it is working well with the exception of one thing I am getting allot of bubbles coming out of the pipes emptying water into both the sump and fuge, these bubbles are causing more noise than the pump and skimmer together. Its actually less noise than what I expected the system to make but if there is a way I can get rid of them it would be nice. The overflow is an AGA premade adjustable unit that came with the tank. It has an air vent in the top that will let some air out as well as a few holes around the sides to break the siphon should something happen the overflow is completely submerged except for the air hole on the top.

[poppin_fresh]

You can adjust some of the bubbles out, but not all of them. The whole point of the Durso (the J shaped drain pipe) is to allow the drain to suck air, if it didn't it would sound like a toilet flushing.

The drain will quiet down once a slime coat forms on the inside of the pipes after a couple weeks. The other option is to slow down the return pump to lessen the flow. Personally I would give it some time before you tinker with it.

[Amphibious]

The different densities of freshwater and saltwater will also play a role. Saltwater flow will quiet the drain down some.